Two-Phase Deployment-Initiated Wakeup Mechanism For Body-Mountable Electronic Device

ABSTRACT

The technology described herein is related to a two-phase deployment-initiated wakeup mechanism for a body-mountable electronic device. During a first phase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism, a motion sensor detects an acceleration event indicative of deployment of the device onto the body of the user. During a second phase of the two-phase mechanism, control circuitry can be adapted to be enabled by the acceleration event. Once enabled, the control circuitry can verify that the device has been launched onto the body of a user via a deployment applicator in which the device is retained until deployment. Once verified, the control circuitry can wake up the body-mountable electronic device by transitioning the device from a sleep state to a functional (or operational) state.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This claims priority to and benefit from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/577,323, filed on Oct. 26, 2017, titled“Two-Phase Deployment-Initiated Wakeup Mechanism for Body-MountableElectronic Device” which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Disposable electronic devices such as medical body-mountable (orwearable) devices, and the like, need to be small, low cost and energyefficient. These devices often include a variety of electroniccomponents such as power sources, microcontrollers, sensors, etc. Thepower sources typically include non-replaceable batteries having limitedcapacities. Prior to deployment, a body-mountable device often remainsunused for an extended period of non-operational time, e.g., transport,storage, etc. If power is enabled (even at reduced levels) during thenon-operational time, then current leakage can significantly reduce theamount of energy available to the device during a functional (oroperational) state. To overcome these current leakage problems,body-mountable devices are often designed with batteries having largercapacities. Unfortunately, the larger capacity batteries increase boththe footprint or size of a body-mountable device and production costs.

To further improve energy efficiency, some body-mountable devicesutilize low-power modes. Various mechanisms are utilized to wake thebody-mountable devices up from a low-power mode, however, these wakeupmechanisms often require additional components that are expensive bothin terms of increased production costs and increased footprint or sizeof the device. Regardless, many of the existing wakeup mechanisms areunreliable, e.g., prone to false wakeups.

Overall, the examples herein of some prior or related systems and theirassociated limitations are intended to be illustrative and notexclusive. Upon reading the following, other limitations of existing orprior systems will become apparent to those of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features can be obtained, a more particular descriptionis set forth and will be rendered by reference to specific examplesthereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understandingthat these drawings depict only typical examples and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, implementations will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram illustrating an example mountable devicedeployment system including body-mountable electronic device with atwo-phase deployment-initiated wakeup mechanism, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a state diagram illustrating example operations of atwo-phase deployment-initiated wakeup mechanism, according to someembodiments.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict flow diagrams illustrating example operations forreliably transitioning a body-mountable electronic device from a sleepstate to a functional (or operational) state responsive to deployment ofthe mountable device by a deployment applicator onto the body of a user,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts example components of a body-mountable electronic deviceincluding a two-phase deployment-initiated wakeup mechanism, accordingto some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C depict diagrams illustrating an example operationalenvironment during various stages of deploying a body-mountableelectronic device retained in a mountable device deployment system ontoa user body, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts a flow diagram illustrating example operations forverifying deployment of a body-mountable electronic device using abiosensor adapted to detect an analyte or interstitial fluid, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram illustrating example operations forverifying deployment of a body-mountable electronic device using awireless transmitter adapted to establish a wireless connection with apersonal communication device, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram illustrating example operations forverifying deployment of a body-mountable electronic device via one ormore accelerometer gestures, according to some embodiments.

The drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Similarly, somecomponents and/or operations may be separated into different blocks orcombined into a single block for the purposes of discussion of some ofthe embodiments of the present technology. Moreover, while thetechnology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms,specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawingsand are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not tolimit the technology to the particular embodiments described. On thecontrary, the technology is intended to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the technologyas defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples are discussed in detail below. While specific implementationsare discussed, it should be understood that this is done forillustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art willrecognize that other components and configurations may be used withoutparting from the spirit and scope of the subject matter of thisdisclosure. The implementations may include machine-implemented methods,computing devices, or computer readable medium.

The technology described herein is directed to a two-phasedeployment-initiated wakeup mechanism for a body-mountable electronicdevice. During a first phase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism, a motionsensor detects an acceleration event indicative of deployment of thedevice onto the body of the user. The acceleration event enables controlcircuitry thereby transitioning the device from a sleep state to atemporary wakeup verification state. During a second phase of thetwo-phase mechanism, the control circuitry verifies that the device hasbeen launched onto the body of a user via a deployment applicator inwhich the device is retained until deployment. Once the controlcircuitry verifies that the device has been launched onto the body of auser, the control circuitry wakes up the body-mountable electronicdevice by transitioning the device from the wakeup verification state toa functional (or operational) state. As discussed herein, the term‘body-mountable devices’ encompasses implantable medical devices,mountable devices, partially implantable devices, such as continuousglucose monitoring (CGM) devices, and the like, etc.

The wakeup mechanism and techniques discussed herein are implementedusing existing components of the body-mountable device, including amotion sensor that is adapted to measure activity of the user during thefunction (or operational) state. Among other benefits, the wakeupmechanism reduces or eliminates sensor leakage during non-operationaltime, e.g., transport, storage, etc., and reduces the likelihood offalse wakeups while enabling reliable transition from the sleep state tothe functional (or operational) state with minimal user interaction.

In some embodiments, the motion sensor comprises an accelerometer thatis adapted to detect the high g-force event indicative of deployment ofthe device onto the body of a user via an applicator. The detection willthen wake up a microcontroller (or control circuitry) from an off-stateto initiate a second phase of confirmation or verification. During thesecond phase, the microcontroller attempts to verify that thebody-mountable electronic device is deployed by monitoring for anddetecting occurrence of a second deployment indicator.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram illustrating an example mountable devicedeployment system 100 including body-mountable electronic device 120with a two-phase deployment-initiated wakeup mechanism, according tosome embodiments. The two-phase deployment-initiated wakeup mechanism isadapted to reliably wake up the body-mountable electronic device 120responsive to deployment (or launching) of the device onto a body of auser via a deployment applicator 110. As shown in the example of FIG. 1,the device deployment system 100 includes the deployment applicator 110and the body-mountable electronic device 120 that is inserted orotherwise retained by the deployment applicator 110 prior to deployment.

The deployment applicator 110 can launch or otherwise deploy thebody-mountable electronic device 120 onto the body of a user. As shownin the example of FIG. 1, the deployment applicator 110 includes adeployment mechanism 115 and a trigger mechanism 116. Additional orfewer components are possible. The deployment mechanism 115 can includea spring-loaded assembly, a magnetic assembly, or any other apparatusthat is able to generate a sufficient launch force F to launch (ordeploy) the body-mountable electronic device 120 onto the body of auser.

The trigger mechanism 116 is communicatively and/or mechanically coupledwith the deployment mechanism 115 such that activating (or exercising),e.g., pressing, the trigger mechanism 116 causes the deploymentmechanism 115 to launch the body-mountable electronic device 120. Asshown in the example of FIG. 1, the trigger mechanism 116 comprises amechanical button or latch mechanism, however, the trigger mechanism 116can be any mechanical, electrical, etc., mechanism capable of triggeringthe deployment mechanism 115.

The body-mountable electronic device 120 can be any electronic devicethat is adapted to monitor and/or sense conditions of the user once thedevice is deployed onto a body of the user. As shown in the example ofFIG. 1, the body-mountable electronic device 120 includes a motionsensor 122, control circuitry 124 and a power source 126. In someembodiments, the motion sensor 122 can be an accelerometer such as, forexample, a three-axis digital accelerometer capable of providing adigital output indicating acceleration of the body-mountable electronicdevice 120.

The control circuitry 124 can include one or more microprocessors,microcontrollers, memories, modules, engines, components, etc., that areconfigured to verify that the body-mountable electronic device isdeployed onto a body of a user during a second phase of the two-phasewakeup mechanism. In some embodiments, the control circuitry 124generates a second deployment indicator responsive to verification thatthe body-mountable electronic device has been deployed onto a body of auser via the deployment applicator 110.

The power source 126 can include one or more disposable energy storagedevices and any related charging and/or regulator circuitry thatprovides power to components of the body-mountable electronic device120. For example, power source 126 can include one or more batteries,capacitors, or other energy storage devices. Although not shown in theexample of FIG. 1, the body-mountable electronic device 120 can includeone or more additional components such as processors, controllers,memories, etc.

To enhance the longevity of power source 126, the body-mountableelectronic device 120 is shipped and stored in a sleep (or pseudo-off)state. As noted above, the body-mountable electronic device 120 includesa two-phase deployment-initiated wakeup mechanism that reliably wakes upthe body-mountable electronic device 120 from the sleep (or pseudo-offstate) responsive to deployment (or launching) of the device onto a bodyof a user.

During a first phase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism, motion sensor122 monitors for the occurrence of a first deployment indictorsignifying detection of an acceleration that exceeds a predeterminedthreshold indicative of deployment of the body-mountable electronicdevice onto the body of the user. For example, the first deploymentindictor can signify detection of a g-force event that exceeds apredetermined threshold g-force value. As discussed herein, thebody-mountable electronic device 120 is retained in deploymentapplicator 110 until the device is deployed.

Responsive to detection of the first deployment indictor, controlcircuitry 124 is enabled for a second phase of the two-phase wakeupmechanism. During the second phase, the control circuitry attempts toverify that the body-mountable electronic device is deployed onto a bodyof a user by monitoring for occurrence of a second deployment indicatorduring a second phase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism.

In some embodiments, the deployment mechanism 115 includes a minimallyinvasive mechanism for deploying a biosensor in or on the body of theuser. For example, the body-mountable electronic device 120 can includean extendable spring-loaded needle adapted to insert the biosensor intothe body of the user upon deployment. An example deployment mechanism115 including the extendable spring-loaded needle is shown and discussedin greater detail with reference to FIGS. 5A-5C. Referring to the secondphase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism, in some embodiments, thecontrol circuitry 124 can generate the second deployment indicator whenan electrical current measured by the biosensor exceeds a predeterminedthreshold current value.

As noted above, the body-mountable electronic device 120 can be anyelectronic device primarily adapted to monitor and/or sensehealth-related information associated with the user during anoperational state. The body-mountable electronic device 120 can providefeedback regarding the health-related information back to the user,e.g., via a built-in interface, via personal communication device, etc.

In some embodiments, the body-mountable electronic device 120 includes awireless transmitter operably coupled with control circuitry 124 thatdirects the wireless transmitter to establish a communication channelwith the personal communication device. Although not shown in theexample of FIG. 1, the personal communication device can be anycommunication device capable of establishing a wireless connection withthe body-mountable electronic device 120 for receiving health-relatedinformation. Additionally, the personal communication device can includea display for presenting the health-related information to the user.Example personal communication devices include, but are not limited to,mobile phones, smart watches, etc.

In some embodiments, the control circuitry 124 can monitor the wirelessconnection and detect the second deployment indicator responsive tosuccessfully establishing a wireless connection between the wirelesstransmitter and the personal communication device prior to expiry of atimeout period. This process ensures that the user has intentionallaunched the body-mountable electronic device onto his or her body.

In some embodiments, the control circuitry 124 can be configured tomonitor the motion sensor 122 and recognize gestures during the secondphase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism. In such instances, the controlcircuitry 124 can detect the second deployment indicator responsive todetection of a gesture. In some embodiments, a gesture can include agesture pattern or series of movements. For example, the gesture patternor series of movements can be a series of taps (on or near the device)by the user or some other movements unlikely to occur by accident.

FIG. 2 depicts a state diagram 200 illustrating example operations of atwo-phase deployment-initiated wakeup mechanism, according to someembodiments. As shown in the example of FIG. 2, the state diagram 200includes states 210, 220 and 230, entry actions 212, 222 and 232, andtransition conditions 215, 225 and 226. The example state operations andtransitions shown in state diagram 200 may be performed in variousembodiments by a body-mountable electronic device such as, for example,body-mountable electronic device 120 of FIG. 1, or one or moremicrocontrollers, modules, engines, or components associated therewith.Additional or fewer states, entry actions and transition conditions arepossible.

A body-mountable electronic device is placed in sleep state 210 atmanufacture time to conserve energy during extended periods ofnon-operational time, e.g., transport, storage, etc. During a firstphase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism, a motion sensor is activated toperform entry action 212. As noted herein, during the sleep state 210,other components of the body-mountable electronic device are disabled.Entry action 212 includes detecting a first deployment indicator. Asdiscussed herein, the first deployment indicator signifies occurrence ofan acceleration event indicative of deployment of the body-mountableelectronic device via a deployment applicator, e.g., a g-force thatexceeds a predetermined g-force threshold.

In the example of FIG. 2, the first deployment indicator acts astransition condition 215 transitioning the body-mountable electronicdevice from the sleep state 210 to a wakeup verification state 220. Uponentering to the wakeup verification state 220, entry action 222 isperformed. As shown in the example of FIG. 2, entry action 222 includesenabling control circuitry for detecting a second deployment indicatorto verify the deployment of the body-mountable electronic device via adeployment applicator.

As discussed herein, deployment of the body-mountable electronic devicecan be verified in a variety of ways. For example, if the body-mountableelectronic device is meant to operate while paired to a personalcommunication device, e.g., mobile phone or smart watch, then a lack ofconnectivity within a threshold time can indicate a false wakeup.Likewise, if the body-mountable electronic device includes a biosensor,the biosensor readings can be sampled to verify deployment of the sensorand thereby verify deployment of the body-mountable electronic device.For example, if the body-mountable electronic device comprises acontinuous glucose monitoring system, an analyte sensor adapted tomeasure glucose is typically placed beneath the skin. If the sensor isnot connected, i.e., the sensor is not in interstitial fluid, then acurrent flowing through the sensor will be less than a threshold value.

Yet another way deployment of the body-mountable electronic device canbe verified is through the use of accelerometer gestures. In someembodiments, verification can be achieved through the detection agesture or gesture pattern, e.g., three taps and the body-mountableelectronic device transitions from the wakeup verification state to anoperational state.

While operating in the wakeup verification state 220, the seconddeployment indicator acts as transition condition 225 transitioning thebody-mountable electronic device to an operational state 230 whendetected. Upon entering to the operational state 230, entry action 232enables a normal operation of the body-mountable electronic device. Asdiscussed herein, during the operational state 230, the body-mountableelectronic device 120 is adapted to perform its primary functions, e.g.,monitoring and/or sensing health-related information associated with theuser on which the device is deployed and providing feedback regardingthe health-related information. It is appreciated that primaryfunctionality is disabled during sleep state 210 and wakeup verificationstate 220.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict flow diagrams illustrating example operations300A and 300B, respectively, for reliably transitioning a body-mountableelectronic device from a sleep state to a functional (or operational)state responsive to deployment of the mountable device by a deploymentapplicator onto the body of a user, according to some embodiments. Morespecifically, the example operations 300A depict an implementationwhereby the motion sensor detects a first deployment indicator andexample operations 300B depict an implementation whereby controlcircuitry detects the first deployment indicator. The example operations300A and 300B may be performed in various embodiments by abody-mountable electronic device such as, for example, body-mountableelectronic device 120 of FIG. 1, or one or more microcontrollers,modules, engines, or components associated therewith. Additional orfewer states, entry actions and transition conditions are possible.

Referring first to the example of FIG. 3A, to begin, at 301, during afirst phase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism, a motion sensor of thebody-mountable electronic device monitors for occurrence of a firstdeployment indicator while in a sleep state. As discussed herein, thefirst deployment indicator signifies an acceleration event indicative ofdeployment of the body-mountable electronic device onto the body of theuser. At decision 303, the body-mountable electronic device determinesif the first deployment indicator is detected. If the first deploymentindicator is not detected, the motion sensor continues to monitor, at301, for occurrence of the first deployment indicator.

However, if the first deployment indicator is detected, at 305, controlcircuitry of the body-mountable electronic device is enabled therebytransitioning the body-mountable electronic device from a sleep state toa wakeup verification state for a second phase of the two-phase wakeupmechanism. At decision 307, the body-mountable electronic devicedetermines if the second deployment indicator is detected. If the seconddeployment indicator is not detected, the body-mountable electronicdevice returns to the sleep state and the motion sensor continues tomonitor, at 301, for occurrence of the first deployment indicator.However, if the second deployment indicator is detected, at 309, controlcircuitry transitions the body-mountable electronic device from thewakeup verification state to an operational state.

The examples discussed herein primarily include a motion sensor that isadapted to detect the first deployment indicator, e.g., a g-force thatexceeds a predetermined threshold. However, in some implementations, thecontrol circuitry can be enabled by any motion and the control circuitrycan be adapted to detect the first deployment indicator, e.g., motionexceeding a threshold. The example of FIG. 3B illustrates thisimplementation and discusses the operation in greater detail.

Referring next to the example of FIG. 3B, to begin, at 311, during afirst phase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism, a motion sensor of thebody-mountable electronic device monitors for motion while the device isin a sleep state (e.g., control circuitry or microcontroller in sleepstate). At decision 313, the motion sensor determines if motion isdetected. If motion is detected, at 315, control circuitry of thebody-mountable electronic device is enabled thereby transitioning thebody-mountable electronic device from a sleep state to a wakeupverification state for a second phase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism.

At decision 317, the control circuitry of the body-mountable electronicdevice determines if the first deployment indicator is detected. Asdiscussed herein, the first deployment indicator signifies anacceleration event indicative of deployment of the body-mountableelectronic device onto the body of the user. If the first deploymentindicator is not detected, the body-mountable electronic device returnsto the sleep state and the motion sensor continues to monitor, at 311,for occurrence of motion. However, if the first deployment indicator isdetected, at 319, the control circuitry of the body-mountable electronicdevice monitors for occurrence of the second deployment indicator. Atdecision 321, the body-mountable electronic device determines if thesecond deployment indicator is detected. If the second deploymentindicator is not detected, then the motion sensor continues to monitor,at 311, for occurrence of motion. However, if the second deploymentindicator is detected, at 309, the control circuitry transitions thebody-mountable electronic device from the wakeup verification state toan operational state.

FIG. 4 depicts example components of a body-mountable electronic device400 including a two-phase deployment-initiated wakeup mechanism,according to some embodiments. The body-mountable electronic device canbe body-mountable electronic device 120 of FIG. 1, although alternativeconfigurations are possible. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 4,example components 400 include power source 410, microcontroller 420,motion sensor 430, biosensor 440, and wireless transceiver 450.Additional or fewer components are possible.

Power source 410 provides power to the other example components 400. Thepower source 410 can include one or more energy storage devices and anyrelated charging and/or regulator circuitry. In some embodiments, powersource 410 can include one or more disposable batteries, capacitors, orother energy storage devices.

The microcontroller 420 can be a small computer or other circuitry thatretrieves and executes software from memory 425. The microcontroller 420may be implemented within a single device or system on a chip (SoC) ormay be distributed across multiple processing devices that cooperate inexecuting program instructions. As shown in the example of FIG. 4, themicrocontroller 420 includes memory 425, a communication interface 427,and a processing system 429. The microcontroller 420 is operatively orcommunicatively coupled with various sensors including the motion sensor430 and the biosensor 440. Additionally, as shown in the example of FIG.4, the microcontroller 420 is operatively or communicatively coupledwith the wireless transceiver 450.

The memory 425 can include program memory and data memory. As shown,memory 425 includes a wakeup module 422. Other modules are alsopossible. Although shown as software modules in the example of FIG. 4,functionality of wakeup module 422 can be implemented individually or inany combination thereof, partially or wholly, in hardware, software, ora combination of hardware and software.

The communication interface 427 may include communication connectionsand devices that together facilitate communication with auxiliary (orpersonal communication) devices such as, for example, mobile phones orsmart watches, as well as other electronic devices via at least wirelesstransceiver 450. The processing system 429 can include one or moreprocessor cores that are configured to retrieve and execute the wakeupmodule 422 for reliably assisting in performing the two-phase wakeupmechanism as discussed herein.

The motion sensor 430 senses motion of the body-mountable electronicdevice. The motion sensor can be, for example, a three-axis digitalaccelerometer that provides a digital output indicating acceleration ofthe body-mountable electronic device to the microcontroller 420.

The biosensor 440 detects an analyte or interstitial fluid. In someembodiments, biosensor 440 can be a hair-like sensor that is positionedjust beneath the surface of the skin of a user upon deployment. In someembodiments, the biosensor 440 provides the microcontroller 420 with rawvalues of the readings.

The wireless transceiver 450 can be, for example, a Bluetooth™ orBluetooth Low Energy™ (BLE) transceiver. Other wireless transceivertechnologies, including Wi-Fi™ and Infrared technologies are alsopossible. In some embodiments, the body-mountable electronic device 400is adapted to pair with a personal communication device 480, e.g., asmart phone or watch. As discussed herein, the pairing process can bemonitored and used as a second phase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism.For example, if there is no Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection withina predetermined timeout period, e.g., ten minutes, then the system timesout.

Referring to the wakeup module 422, in operation, the module can directthe microcontroller 420 to perform one or more operations to verifydeployment of a body-mountable electronic device 400 responsive todetection of acceleration event indicative of the deployment of thebody-mountable electronic device. Performing the operations can resultin a determination that the acceleration event was a false wakeup, e.g.,not a deployment onto a body of a user via the deployment applicator. Insuch instances, the microcontroller 420 directs the body-mountableelectronic device to return or remain in a sleep state. Alternatively,if the operations result in a determination that the body-mountableelectronic device was deployed onto the body of a user via thedeployment applicator, then the body-mountable electronic devicetransitions to an operational state.

As discussed herein, during the operational state, the body-mountableelectronic device 400 performs its primary functions, e.g., monitorsand/or senses health-related information associated with the user.

FIGS. 5A-5C depict diagrams illustrating an example operationalenvironment 500 during various stages of deploying a body-mountableelectronic device 520 retained in a mountable device deployment system505 onto a user body 550, according to some embodiments. Morespecifically, the examples of FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate the exampledeployment environment 500 prior to deployment of the body-mountableelectronic device 520 on the user body 550, during deployment of thebody-mountable electronic device 520 on the user body 550, and afterdeployment of the body-mountable electronic device 520 on the user body550, respectively.

As shown in the examples of FIGS. 5A-5C, the example operationalenvironment 500 includes a mountable device deployment system 505 anduser body 550. The mountable device deployment system 505 includes adeployment applicator 510 and the body-mountable electronic device 520.The deployment applicator 510 can launch or otherwise deploy thebody-mountable electronic device 520 onto the user body 550. Thebody-mountable electronic device 520 can include a base having abio-compatible adhesive disposed on a proximal surface for removablyattaching the body-mountable electronic device to skin of the user.

The deployment applicator 510 includes a deployment mechanism 515 and atrigger mechanism 516. As shown in the examples of FIGS. 5B and 5C, thedeployment mechanism 515 is in the form of an extendable spring-loadedneedle that is adapted to insert a hair-like biosensor 526 just beneaththe surface of the user body 550 upon deployment. The trigger mechanism516 is communicatively and/or mechanically coupled with the deploymentmechanism 515 such that exercising, e.g., pressing, the triggermechanism 516 causes the deployment mechanism 515 to launch thebody-mountable electronic device 520. As shown in the example of FIGS.5A-5C, the trigger mechanism 516 comprises a mechanical button or latchmechanism, however, the trigger mechanism 516 can be any mechanical,electrical, etc., mechanism capable of triggering the deploymentmechanism 515.

The body-mountable electronic device 520 can be any electronic devicethat is adapted to monitor and/or sense conditions of the user once thedevice is deployed onto a body of the user. In some embodiments, thebody-mountable electronic device 520 can be a body-mountable electronicdevice 120 of FIG. 1, although alternative configurations are possible.

As shown in the example of FIGS. 5A-5C, the body-mountable electronicdevice 520 includes a motion sensor 522, control circuitry 524 and apower source (not shown). In some embodiments, the motion sensor 522 canbe an accelerometer capable of providing an output indicatingaccelerations detected by the body-mountable electronic device 520.

Referring first to FIG. 5A, FIG. 5A illustrates a first phase of thetwo-phase wakeup mechanism as motion sensor 522 monitors for theoccurrence of a first deployment indictor signifying detection of anacceleration event that exceeds a predetermined threshold indicative ofdeployment of the body-mountable electronic device 520 onto the userbody 550.

As shown in the example of FIG. 5B, responsive to detection of the firstdeployment indictor, control circuitry 524 is enabled for a second phaseof the two-phase wakeup mechanism. During the second phase, the controlcircuitry 524 attempts to verify that the body-mountable electronicdevice is deployed onto the user body 550 by monitoring for occurrenceof a second deployment indicator during the second phase.

As shown in the example of FIG. 5C, during the second phase of thetwo-phase wakeup mechanism, the control circuitry 524 generates thesecond deployment indicator when an electrical current measured by thebiosensor 526 exceeds a predetermined threshold current value. Asdiscussed herein, the body-mountable electronic device 520 can be anyelectronic device primarily adapted to monitor and/or sensehealth-related information associated with the user during anoperational state. Once deployed, the body-mountable electronic device520 can provide feedback regarding the health-related information backto the user, e.g., via a built-in interface, via personal communicationdevice, etc. The feedback can provide useful real-time or near real-timehealth-related information to a user. For example, glucose levels andinformation on how the glucose levels are affected by food, activities,etc., can be provided to a user with type I, II or prediabetes.

FIGS. 6-8 depict flow diagrams illustrating example operations performedduring a second phase of a two-phase wakeup mechanism, according to someembodiments. The example operations discussed with reference to FIGS.6-8 may be performed in various embodiments by a body-mountableelectronic device such as, for example, body-mountable electronic device120 of FIG. 1, or one or more microcontrollers, modules, engines, orcomponents associated therewith.

As discussed herein, the body-mountable electronic device is shipped andstored in a sleep (or pseudo-off) state. The body-mountable electronicdevice includes a two-phase deployment-initiated wakeup mechanism thatreliably wakes up the body-mountable electronic device from the sleep(or pseudo-off) state to a functional (or operational) state responsiveto deployment (or launching) of the device onto a user body. During afirst phase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism, a motion sensor detectsan acceleration event indicative of deployment of the device onto thebody of the user. During a second phase of the two-phase mechanism,control circuitry is enabled to verify that the device has been launchedonto the body of a user and, thus, reduce a likelihood of a falsewakeup, e.g., unintended transitions to the functional (or operational)state.

Referring first to the example of FIG. 6, FIG. 6 depicts a flow diagramillustrating example operations 600 for verifying deployment of abody-mountable electronic device using a biosensor adapted to detect ananalyte or interstitial fluid, according to some embodiments.

To begin, at 601, the body-mountable electronic device applies a voltageto the biosensor and, at 603, measures the current across the biosensor.As discussed herein, if the biosensor (analyte) sensor is deployed,i.e., the sensor is in interstitial fluid, then a current will beflowing through the device. Likewise, if the biosensor (analyte) sensoris not deployed, i.e., the sensor is not in interstitial fluid, then acurrent should not be flowing through the device.

At decision 605, the body-mountable electronic device determines if themeasured current exceeds a predetermined current threshold. It isappreciated that in humid environments, it is possible to detect a smallcurrent flow even when the biosensor is not deployed. Accordingly, thepredetermined current threshold can be set to a nominal value to reducefalse wakeups in humid environments. If the measured current does notexceed the predetermined current threshold, the body-mountableelectronic device remains or returns to the sleep state. However, if themeasured current does exceed the predetermined current threshold, at609, the body-mountable electronic device generates the seconddeployment indicator.

FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram illustrating example operations 700 forverifying deployment of a body-mountable electronic device using awireless transmitter adapted to establish a wireless connection with apersonal communication device, according to some embodiments.

To begin, at 701, the body-mountable electronic device enables thewireless transmitter. For example, the body-mountable electronic devicecan enable a BLE transceiver of the body-mountable electronic device.Once enabled, the device is discoverable and can be paired with apersonal communication device such as, for example, personal electronicdevice 480 of FIG. 4. At 703, the body-mountable electronic devicestarts a timer. The timer can count up or down, but a wirelessconnection must be established within a predetermined timeout or period.

At 705, the body-mountable electronic device monitors a connectionstatus of the wireless transmitter and, at decision 707, determines if aconnection has been established, e.g., if the body-mountable electronicdevice and the personal communication device have paired. If aconnection has not been established, at decision 709, the body-mountableelectronic device determines if the timeout period has occurred. Forexample, if there is no BLE connection within a predetermined timeoutperiod, e.g., ten minutes, then the system times out and, at 711,returns to a sleep (or pseudo-off) state. Returning to decision 707, ifa connection is established, at 713, the body-mountable electronicdevice generates the second deployment indicator which, in the exampleof FIG. 7, is indicative of establishment of a wireless connectionbetween the wireless transmitter and the personal communication deviceprior to expiry of the timeout period.

FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram illustrating example operations 800 forverifying deployment of a body-mountable electronic device via one ormore accelerometer gestures, according to some embodiments.

To begin, at 801, the body-mountable electronic device monitors themotion sensor for detection of an accelerometer gesture or pattern ofgestures. At decision 803, the body-mountable electronic devicedetermines if the accelerometer gesture or pattern of gestures isdetected. If not, the body-mountable electronic device continuesmonitoring the motion sensor at step 801. Otherwise, at 805, thebody-mountable electronic device compares the detected gesture orpattern of gestures to a predetermined gesture or pattern. For example,a pattern of gestures can include a series of movements or taps. Atdecision 807, the body-mountable electronic device determines if thereis a match. If there is not a match, at decision 809, the body-mountableelectronic device determines if a timeout period has occurred. If thetimeout period has occurred, at 811, the body-mountable electronicdevice returns to a sleep (or pseudo-off) state. Otherwise, thebody-mountable electronic device continues to monitor for gestures at801. Returning to decision 807, if the gesture or pattern of gesturesmatch a predetermined gesture or pattern, at 813, the body-mountableelectronic device generates the second deployment indicator.

Certain inventive aspects may be appreciated from the foregoingdisclosure, of which the following are various examples.

Example 1

A mountable device deployment system comprising: a body-mountableelectronic device including: a motion sensor adapted to detect a firstdeployment indicator, the first deployment indicator comprising anacceleration event indicative of deployment of the body-mountableelectronic device, and control circuitry adapted to transition thebody-mountable electronic device from a sleep state to a wakeupverification state responsive to the first deployment indicator, and totransition the body-mountable electronic device from the wakeupverification state to an operational state responsive to detecting asecond deployment indicator; and a deployment applicator having thebody-mountable electronic device retained therein, the deploymentapplicator including a deployment mechanism adapted to launch thebody-mountable electronic device.

Example 2

The system of Example 1, wherein the body-mountable electronic devicefurther includes a biosensor adapted to detect an analyte orinterstitial fluid.

Example 3

The system of Example 2, wherein the deployment mechanism comprises anextendable spring-loaded needle adapted to insert the biosensor into abody of a user upon deployment, and wherein the acceleration event isindicative of the launching of the extendable spring-loaded needle.

Example 4

The system of Example 3, wherein the deployment applicator is adapted toretain the body-mountable electronic device until the extendablespring-loaded needle retracts and thereby disposing the body-mountableelectronic device on the body of the user and the biosensor beneath asurface of skin of the user.

Example 5

The system of Example 3, wherein the body-mountable electronic devicefurther includes: a base having a bio-compatible adhesive disposed on aproximal surface for attaching the body-mountable electronic device toskin of the user.

Example 6

The system of Example 2, wherein the control circuitry is furtheradapted to detect the second deployment indicator when an electricalcurrent measured by the biosensor matches a preset pattern.

Example 7

The system of Example 6, wherein the electrical current measured by thebiosensor matches the preset pattern when the electrical current exceedsa predetermined threshold value.

Example 8

The system of Example 1, wherein the body-mountable electronic devicefurther includes: a wireless transmitter operably coupled with thecontrol circuitry and adapted to transmit information to a communicationdevice, wherein the control circuitry is further adapted to detect thesecond deployment indicator responsive to establishment of a wirelessconnection between the wireless transmitter and the communication deviceprior to expiry of a timeout.

Example 9

The system of Example 1, wherein the control circuitry is furtheradapted to detect the second deployment indicator responsive todetecting a gesture pattern in motion signals outputted by the motionsensor.

Example 10

The system of Example 9, wherein the gesture pattern comprises a patternof body mountable electronic device movements, a pattern of rotations, apattern of taps, or a combination thereof.

Example 11

The system of Example 1, wherein detecting the acceleration eventincludes detecting a g-force that exceeds a predetermined g-forcethreshold.

Example 12

The system of Example 1, wherein the deployment applicator furthercomprises: a triggering mechanism mechanically coupled with thedeployment mechanism and adapted to direct the deployment mechanism tolaunch the body-mountable electronic device responsive to activation.

Example 13

A body-mountable electronic device comprising: a motion sensor adaptedto detect, during a first phase of a two-phase wakeup mechanism whilethe body-mountable electronic device is in a sleep state, a firstdeployment indicator comprising an acceleration event indicative ofdeployment of the body-mountable electronic device; and amicrocontroller enabled by the acceleration event and adapted to:transition the body-mountable electronic device from the sleep state toa wakeup verification state; verify that the body-mountable electronicdevice is deployed onto a body of a user during a second phase of thetwo-phase wakeup mechanism, wherein the microcontroller detects a seconddeployment indicator responsive to a verification that thebody-mountable electronic device is deployed; and transition thebody-mountable electronic device from the wakeup verification state toan operational state responsive to detecting the second deploymentindicator.

Example 14

The body-mountable electronic device of claim 13, further comprising: abiosensor operably coupled with the microcontroller and adapted todetect an analyte or interstitial fluid, wherein the microcontrollerdetects the second deployment indicator when an electrical currentmeasured across the biosensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Example 15

The body-mountable electronic device of claim 13, further comprising: awireless transmitter operably coupled with the microcontroller andadapted to transmit information to a communication device, wherein themicrocontroller is further adapted to detect the second deploymentindicator responsive to establishment of a wireless connection betweenthe wireless transmitter and the communication device prior to expiry ofa timeout.

Example 16

The body-mountable electronic device of claim 13, wherein themicrocontroller is further adapted to detect the second deploymentindicator responsive to detecting a gesture pattern in motion signalsoutputted by the motion sensor.

Example 17

The body-mountable electronic device of claim 13, wherein theacceleration event includes detecting a g-force that exceeds apredetermined g-force threshold.

Example 18

A method of waking up a body-mountable electronic device, the methodcomprising: monitoring for occurrence of a first deployment indicatorwhile in a sleep state, wherein the first deployment indicatorcomprising an acceleration event indicative of deployment of thebody-mountable electronic device onto a body of a user; responsive todetecting the first deployment indicator, enabling control circuitryadapted to detect occurrence of a second deployment indicator, whereinenabling the control circuitry transitions the body-mountable electronicdevice from the sleep state to a wakeup verification state; andresponsive to detecting the second deployment indicator, transitioningthe body-mountable electronic device from the wakeup verification stateto an operational state.

Example 19

The method of claim 18, wherein to detect the occurrence of the seconddeployment indicator, the control circuitry is further adapted to: applya voltage to a biosensor, wherein the biosensor is adapted to detect ananalyte or interstitial fluid; measure a current across the biosensor;determine if the current across the biosensor exceeds a predeterminedthreshold; and detect the second deployment indicator responsive to thecurrent across the biosensor exceeding the predetermined threshold.

Example 20

The method of claim 18, wherein to detect the occurrence of the seconddeployment indicator, the control circuitry is further adapted to:monitor a connection status of a wireless transmitter of thebody-mountable electronic device; and detect the second deploymentindicator responsive to detecting a wireless connection between thewireless transmitter and a communication device prior to expiry of atimeout.

Example 21

The method of claim 18, wherein to detect the occurrence of the seconddeployment indicator, the control circuitry is further adapted to:monitor the motion sensor for occurrence of a gesture pattern in motionsignals outputted by the motion sensor; and detect the second deploymentindicator responsive to detecting the gesture pattern in the motionsignals outputted by the motion sensor.

Example 22

A mountable device deployment system comprising: a body-mountableelectronic device including: a motion sensor adapted to detect motion,and control circuitry adapted to enable responsive to detecting themotion and, once enabled, determine if the motion comprises anacceleration event indicative of deployment of the body-mountableelectronic device, and when the acceleration event is indicative ofdeployment of the body-mountable electronic device, transition thebody-mountable electronic device to an operational state responsive todetecting a second deployment indicator; and a deployment applicatorhaving the body-mountable electronic device retained therein, thedeployment applicator including a deployment mechanism adapted to launchthe body-mountable electronic device.

The functional block diagrams, operational scenarios and sequences, andflow diagrams provided in the Figures are representative of exemplarysystems, environments, and methodologies for performing novel aspects ofthe disclosure. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation,methods included herein may be in the form of a functional diagram,operational scenario or sequence, or flow diagram, and may be describedas a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that themethods are not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, inaccordance therewith, occur in a different order and/or concurrentlywith other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, thoseskilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a method couldalternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states orevents, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all acts illustratedin a methodology may be required for a novel implementation.

The descriptions and figures included herein depict specificimplementations to teach those skilled in the art how to make and usethe best option. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, someconventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate variations from these implementations that fallwithin the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will alsoappreciate that the features described above can be combined in variousways to form multiple implementations. As a result, the invention is notlimited to the specific implementations described above, but only by theclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mountable device deployment system comprising:a body-mountable electronic device including: a motion sensor adapted todetect a first deployment indicator, the first deployment indicatorcomprising an acceleration event indicative of deployment of thebody-mountable electronic device, and control circuitry adapted totransition the body-mountable electronic device from a sleep state to awakeup verification state responsive to the first deployment indicator,and to transition the body-mountable electronic device from the wakeupverification state to an operational state responsive to detecting asecond deployment indicator; and a deployment applicator having thebody-mountable electronic device retained therein, the deploymentapplicator including a deployment mechanism adapted to launch thebody-mountable electronic device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thebody-mountable electronic device further includes a biosensor adapted todetect an analyte or interstitial fluid.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the deployment mechanism comprises an extendable spring-loadedneedle adapted to insert the biosensor into a body of a user upondeployment, and wherein the acceleration event is indicative of thelaunching of the extendable spring-loaded needle.
 4. The system of claim3, wherein the deployment applicator is adapted to retain thebody-mountable electronic device until the extendable spring-loadedneedle retracts and thereby disposing the body-mountable electronicdevice on the body of the user and the biosensor beneath a surface ofskin of the user.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the body-mountableelectronic device further includes: a base having a bio-compatibleadhesive disposed on a proximal surface for attaching the body-mountableelectronic device to skin of the user.
 6. The system of claim 2, whereinthe control circuitry is further adapted to detect the second deploymentindicator when an electrical current measured by the biosensor matches apreset pattern.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the electrical currentmeasured by the biosensor matches the preset pattern when the electricalcurrent exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
 8. The system of claim1, wherein the body-mountable electronic device further includes: awireless transmitter operably coupled with the control circuitry andadapted to transmit information to a communication device, wherein thecontrol circuitry is further adapted to detect the second deploymentindicator responsive to establishment of a wireless connection betweenthe wireless transmitter and the communication device prior to expiry ofa timeout.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuitry isfurther adapted to detect the second deployment indicator responsive todetecting a gesture pattern in motion signals outputted by the motionsensor.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the gesture pattern comprisesa pattern of body mountable electronic device movements, a pattern ofrotations, a pattern of taps, or a combination thereof.
 11. The systemof claim 1, wherein detecting the acceleration event includes detectinga g-force that exceeds a predetermined g-force threshold.
 12. The systemof claim 1, wherein the deployment applicator further comprises: atriggering mechanism mechanically coupled with the deployment mechanismand adapted to direct the deployment mechanism to launch thebody-mountable electronic device responsive to activation.
 13. Abody-mountable electronic device comprising: a motion sensor adapted todetect, during a first phase of a two-phase wakeup mechanism while thebody-mountable electronic device is in a sleep state, a first deploymentindicator comprising an acceleration event indicative of deployment ofthe body-mountable electronic device; and a microcontroller enabled bythe acceleration event and adapted to: transition the body-mountableelectronic device from the sleep state to a wakeup verification state;verify that the body-mountable electronic device is deployed onto a bodyof a user during a second phase of the two-phase wakeup mechanism,wherein the microcontroller detects a second deployment indicatorresponsive to a verification that the body-mountable electronic deviceis deployed; and transition the body-mountable electronic device fromthe wakeup verification state to an operational state responsive todetecting the second deployment indicator.
 14. The body-mountableelectronic device of claim 13, further comprising: a biosensor operablycoupled with the microcontroller and adapted to detect an analyte orinterstitial fluid, wherein the microcontroller detects the seconddeployment indicator when an electrical current measured across thebiosensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
 15. Thebody-mountable electronic device of claim 13, further comprising: awireless transmitter operably coupled with the microcontroller andadapted to transmit information to a communication device, wherein themicrocontroller is further adapted to detect the second deploymentindicator responsive to establishment of a wireless connection betweenthe wireless transmitter and the communication device prior to expiry ofa timeout.
 16. The body-mountable electronic device of claim 13, whereinthe microcontroller is further adapted to detect the second deploymentindicator responsive to detecting a gesture pattern in motion signalsoutputted by the motion sensor.
 17. The body-mountable electronic deviceof claim 13, wherein the acceleration event includes detecting a g-forcethat exceeds a predetermined g-force threshold.
 18. A method of wakingup a body-mountable electronic device, the method comprising: monitoringfor occurrence of a first deployment indicator while in a sleep state,wherein the first deployment indicator comprising an acceleration eventindicative of deployment of the body-mountable electronic device onto abody of a user; responsive to detecting the first deployment indicator,enabling control circuitry adapted to detect occurrence of a seconddeployment indicator, wherein enabling the control circuitry transitionsthe body-mountable electronic device from the sleep state to a wakeupverification state; and responsive to detecting the second deploymentindicator, transitioning the body-mountable electronic device from thewakeup verification state to an operational state.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein to detect the occurrence of the second deploymentindicator, the control circuitry is further adapted to: apply a voltageto a biosensor, wherein the biosensor is adapted to detect an analyte orinterstitial fluid; measure a current across the biosensor; determine ifthe current across the biosensor exceeds a predetermined threshold; anddetect the second deployment indicator responsive to the current acrossthe biosensor exceeding the predetermined threshold.
 20. The method ofclaim 18, wherein to detect the occurrence of the second deploymentindicator, the control circuitry is further adapted to: monitor aconnection status of a wireless transmitter of the body-mountableelectronic device; and detect the second deployment indicator responsiveto detecting a wireless connection between the wireless transmitter anda communication device prior to expiry of a timeout.